Hi List,
For the record...
I now have the solution, but I first had to understand the real problem, beyond being bothered by the apparent problem. Obvious, no?
The basic problem I encountered was dealing with error number -1708 when I ran a simple script such as:
path to startup disk
which returned: error "startup disk doesn’t understand the path to message." number -1708 from startup disk.
This error message actually says that the Standard Additions couldn't be found. Yet it was well there.
After having created a new user account, which did not exhibit the issue, I took the following steps :
1/ Make sure you do not have duplicate instances or versions of osaxen, between the two folders: Library/System/ScriptingAdditions and ~ Library/ScriptingAdditions. BTW, OS updates seem to foster this situation; you may end up with outdated (and conflicting) versions of osaxen in your system .
2/ Drag these preferences files and caches from the user's Library to the trash.
~/Library/Preferences...
com.apple.ScriptEditor2.plist
com.apple.applescript.plist
com.apple.systemuiserver.plist
~/Library/Caches...
Script Editor < folder
com.apple.nsservicescache.plist
3/ Restart and then empty the trash, in that order or your system will not shut down.
Et voila. No more error -1708!
Thanks to all who contributed solution, support and sympathy. Now, back to life!
Michael |